What has happened in Swindon?

Due to quality issues identified by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection of Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) in 2016 and 2017, NHS England authorised the temporary consolidation of two of three Health Based Place of Safety (HBPoS) Suites in Swindon and Salisbury to a third site in Devizes for 12 months.

This will provide an opportunity for organisations to address the CQC’s improvement requirements, particularly around assessment times following a change to the law which states how long a person can be detained for.

Swindon Borough Council's Adults' Health, Adults' Care and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on 30 January 2018 and supported the recommendation of the temporary closure of Swindon's Health Based Place of Safety Suite at Sandalwood Court site for a period of 12 months.

At the meeting, AWP representatives indicated the temporary closure would start in March 2018.

An engagement period during the temporary closure was noted, with interim reports to be submitted to the committee during the 12 months as required, and an interim report after nine months.

The temporary closure began on 26 March 2018.

During the period of temporary reallocation, engagement is being undertaken with people in Swindon and Wiltshire and individuals using the service.

This will inform the recommendations that are made to NHS England and NHS Improvement.

Longer term arrangements will be subject to an NHS England assurance process.